Winter misery at a glance

After one more below-zero blast of cold weather misery, the Midlands is about to get at least a brief respite. Here, at a glance, is the situation this weekend:

OMAHA WEATHER:

Low tonight: -21 High Saturday: 7

To find a lower low on Jan. 8, record keepers have to go back to 1886.

If you want to pull out the Bermuda shorts when you read next week's forecast, AccuWeather forecaster Tom Kines understands.

The above-freezing forecast will feel like a heat wave. Omaha hasn't seen a day above 32 degrees since Dec. 30, when the mercury hit 33. The normal high this time of year is 31. Enjoy the warm-up. It might not last beyond a few days, Kines said.

NEBRASKA ROADS:

The State of Nebraska made headway in opening at least one lane on drifted-over highways for this morning's commute. The Roads Department said that by early Saturday, it expects travel in Douglas and its surrounding counties to be closer to normal. Highway 1 in Cass County should be ready for full travel no later than Saturday.

Nebraska Highway 91 east from from the Dodge County and Colfax County line, between Howells and Dodge to U.S. Highway 275 south of West Point, was opened for both lanes of traffic, the State Roads Department said late Friday afternoon.

WESTERN IOWA ROADS:

It will be at least a week before Iowa authorities venture to characterize their highways and roads as being “near normal.” Drivers can traverse much of Interstates 29 and 680/80 today, but travel advisories have been issued for all other state highways. And if the state highways are bad, county roads are likely worse, transportation officials said.

OMAHA STREETS:

Streets have remained passable — although slick — during the latest winter blast. Road crews will remain on 12-hour shifts all weekend to continue treating major roads, clearing snow piles and dealing with trouble spots. But next week's warm-up will bring its own challenges — growing potholes and thawing snow that refreezes on roadways. Caution is still advised.

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are working on damage assessments in the wake of the winter storm in 66 of the state's 93 counties.

Five teams will hit the road Monday to gather information on the extent of damage and costs to public entities. Based on that information, "We will determine whether the state meets federal thresholds for receiving assistance to help with costs incurred by various political subdivisions due to these winter storms,” said Al Berndt, assistant NEMA director.

— Judith Nygren and Mike Holmes

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